THE PRINCE'S TOUR.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIV, Issue 14038, 22 April 1920, Page 7

THE PRINCE'S TOUR.

[By Electric telegraph—Copyright.] (Per Pre« Association.) (Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.) lleceived April 21, at o.'i p.m. St'VA, April 21. The procedure at the Town Hall, was nil expression of loyalty, sincere and fervent, but loyaltv in best clothes of rather formal cut. The next item on the programme wa.the Prince's visit to the Soldiers' Association. This was loyalty in working uniform, spontaneous, exuberant and unrestrained. The Prince spoke a few entirely unpremeditated words, thanking the soldiers for the welcome, and expressing pleasure at seeing so many Diggers among the assemblage. He hoped to see it great many more in New Zealand and Australia. Captain Ellis, President of the Association, replied in a similar informal strain of genuine appreciation. Driving to Government House, the Prince was the central figure of a remarkable scene, in which the different racial elements co-operated ill demonstration of lovalty and affection, expressed by the children. Standing on the steps of Government House, looking out on a scene of gorgeous tropical beauty, the Prince inspected the military corps from the various schools, including Europeans. Fijian*. Indians, also l>ocfies of school children of all colors gathered under the flag. Thr scene was bounded by a line of foam showing the breakers on the reef that forms Suva Harbor, and the mountains enclosing the harbor on the - mmense lawns, clothed with vivid tropieai verdure, sloped down to the shore o; the Pacific. The Government House being well elevated, made an ideal scene for the spectacle.

After the Prince had inspected the military detachments, a Fijian youth stepped forward and .spoke a welcoming loyal address in his own language, followed by a Hindoo, uttering similar sentiments of loyalty Hindustani. Then came a vottnu British l;oy T iiorn in Fiji, named Lydon Osborne", we.: r-

ing a military uniform. .Saluting briskly. he repeated a short poem, expressing the joy of the native-born in seeing the Prince arrive from the country of their hopes and dreams.

Kecetred April 2i. at 10.-30 p.m. SUVA, April 21. For weeks past, the Fijiant. have been busy prenariny the ceremonial wardrobes for the festivities in honor tit the Prince, and the results ivere apparent to-day in the staggering magnificence. Many hundreds of brawny natives. having reluctantly abandoned (he warriors' profession, returned for one day to the war pain, with happy glee. The principal garment was a long kilt, comjHised of iniiumera!>te strips of liark. stained vivid greens, purples. blues. and yellows. This, with the pearl-shell* ornaments, faces liberally plastered with ochre, hair dyed lignt brown with lime, and worn much frizzled, produced striking rainbow effects. The leading performers wore in addition huge bundles of white bark streamers over the hips, giving a crinoline effect.

The Prini-e. accompanied by the Governor of Fiji. F,adv IJodwell. Admiral Halsey and tile staff, occupied sea! 1 in a pavilion facing a large enclosure. The proceedings opened with a solemn presentation of an enormous kava root, to the accompaniment of :• whimsical dance and invocations. The kava drink was prepared on the spot, and presented with elaborate ritual ceremonies to the Prime in a coioanut dip. by a gagantic rainbow-hued warrior in a crinoline, advancing, between triple lines of seated performers. '1 he Prime drank the kava and threw the cup away, according to the prescribed custom, whereupon a concerted chorus of approval rose in the air. The Governor and members of the staff drank the kava in similar fashion. The ceremony of the presentation of the first fruits then followed, "in-'nd-ing a gift of a large heap of whales' teeth, which are very valuable, being practically the gold reserve of tlncountry. Hundreds of native mats were also piled before the Prince as offerings.

The Prince held an Investiture ivas presented with a loyad address in English. whereupon the great war (iailft*. <;:l(rci tin- "meke." w;is given liy alxjnt a thousand warriors. who went through all the lighting attitudes with war clubs. The warriors worked tip great excitement and threw themselves in to tlie dance with primitive energy. Tile precision of this dance gave the Prince a vivid glimpse into the ancient customs of the Fijians. nmv peaceful subjects enjoying the security r.f British rule. A long line of white-haired chiefs wa> presented with a loyal address in shook haiuLs and congratulated them. Among them w;:s the picturesque old tVFfow Benitauna. who formerly was as ;:<r.verftil as_ Hoko. and who was introduced, to King George in l*N|. when he visited fA-vuka in the Ilacehaute. IJenttanoa afterwards fell on evil days, i'lid lo<t his high jxisif ion. To-day. by virtue ot his birth. he has returned t > task once more, for a brief moment, tri the smiling recognition of British Koyalty. The huge throng of excited Fijians :m Ited away with hoarse cheers for the departing Prime. who attends a hall . to-night at the Grand Pacific Hotel. The Mayor of Suva. Mr H. X. Scott. K.C.. was the chief organiser of the welcoming ceremonies, which were wonderfully picturcsone. The Renown sails at daybreak.